Philosophy, systems and networks. --- (1) System complexity: how many types of parts in the system. (2) System size: how many individual parts in the system. --- 3/27/2007

Philosophy, systems and networks. --- A system is a set of interrelated part. The parts can be of various types. The relations between the parts can be of various types. Thus, systems can be of various types. --- 11/19/2005

Philosophy, systems and networks. --- Automata. What is an automata? An automata is a machine that can perform a series of tasks. An automata is a machine that can be programmed. A machine is a tool that has moving parts and a power source. A computer is an example of an automata. Is an animal, even a human, an example of an automata? --- 5/12/2005

Philosophy, systems and networks. --- Chaos and complexity. Examples of chaos and complexity. Chaos and complexity are features of non-simple systems that have some degree of randomness. (1) Chaos and complexity in mathematical systems. Fractals. (2) Chaos and complexity in non sentient systems. For example, in computer systems. (3) Chaos and complexity in sentient systems. For example, the human mind. It is possible that creative thinking is due to the result of chaos and complexity occurring in the system of the brain. (4) Chaos and complexity in social systems. For example, crowds, politics, economics. --- 5/12/2005

Philosophy, systems and networks. --- Chaos and complexity. How useful is chaos and complexity theory in describing and predicting real world situations and systems? --- 5/12/2005

Philosophy, systems and networks. --- Chaos theory. How can a small change in one part of a system produce a large change elsewhere in the system? For example, in the weather. --- 5/12/2005

Philosophy, systems and networks. --- Chaos theory. Is a random number generator an example of a chaotic system? Are chaotic systems 100% random? Not necessarily. --- 5/12/2005

Philosophy, systems and networks. --- Complexity theory. Complexity is a relative term. At what point do we call a system complex? --- 5/12/2005

Philosophy, systems and networks. --- Complexity theory. In what ways can complex phenomena evolve or derive from simple phenomena? One way is in biological systems, for example, biological evolution. Another way is in physical systems, for example the weather. Yet another way is in mathematical systems, for example, fractals. --- 5/12/2005

Philosophy, systems and networks. --- Cybernetics, a field pioneered by Norbert Wiener in the 1920's and 1930's, is concerned with self-regulating systems. --- 5/12/2005

Philosophy, systems and networks. --- Definition of system. (1) System can refer to any type of general system. (2) System can refer to civilization. (3) System can refer to the American system. --- 3/27/2007

Philosophy, systems and networks. --- How does one's metaphysics change when one begins to describe one's world in terms of systems, networks, games, cybernetics and automata? --- 5/12/2005

Philosophy, systems and networks. --- Model theory. (1) What is a model? (A) A model is a simplification of another thing. (B) A model is an abstraction of another thing. (C) A model is a function that accepts an input and produces an output. (2) Types of models. (A) Static models. A static model represents one scenario at one point in time. (B) Dynamic models. A dynamic model can represent either many different scenarios or the progression of a scenario through time. A dynamic model can take many inputs and produce many outputs. --- 5/12/2005

Philosophy, systems and networks. --- Network theory. For a network of any given number of nodes, how many direct links between nodes will connect every node to every other node. For example: Four nodes are connected by six links. Five nodes are connected by nine links. Six nodes are completely connected by 16 links. What is the formula for this pattern? --- 6/15/2005

Philosophy, systems and networks. --- Network theory. For any given set of nodes, for example, four nodes named A, B, C, D, how many combinations of nodes are possible? This is a simple matter of combinatorics. Answer: A. B. C. D. AB. AC. AD. BC. BD. CD. ABC. BCD. ABD. ACD. What is the formula for this pattern? Example of an application: If you have four people, how many combinations of conversation are possible? --- 6/15/2005

Philosophy, systems and networks. --- Network theory. How far will something travel in a network? How fast will something travel in a network? Nodes with one link. Nodes with two links. Nodes with three links. --- 5/12/2005

Philosophy, systems and networks. --- Network theory. If you have x number of nodes, how many links are required to connect every node to every other node? 4 nodes require 6 links. 5 nodes require 9 links. 6 nodes require 15 links. What is the mathematical pattern? --- 6/23/2005

Philosophy, systems and networks. --- Network theory. Principles of the growth and decay of networks. (1) If much traffic is traveling indirectly between two nodes then a direct link should be made between those two nodes. (2) If little traffic is traveling directly between two nodes then any pre-existing direct link should be closed down and an indirect path should be taken. --- 5/12/2005

Philosophy, systems and networks. --- Network theory. Simple networks and complex networks. (1) In a simple network, each node has the same number of links. In a complex network, some nodes have many links and other nodes have few links. (2) In a simple network, each link is the same length, width. In a complex network, links have different lengths and widths. --- 11/8/2005

Philosophy, systems and networks. --- Network theory. Simple networks and complex networks. (1) Simple network is a network where all the nodes are the same, all the links are the same, and all the traffic is the same. For example, all the nodes are the same size, all the links are the same length, and all the traffic follows a regular pattern. (2) Complex networks are networks that have nodes of different types, links of different types, and traffic of different types. For example, the nodes could vary by function, the links could vary by bandwidth, and the traffic is of different vehicles following irregular patterns. --- 5/12/2005

Philosophy, systems and networks. --- Network theory. Simple networks and complex networks. (1) Simple network. Each node is equidistant from next. Speed of message is same between all nodes. (2) Complex networks. Distance between nodes is not equidistant. Speed of messages varies between nodes. --- 5/12/2005

Philosophy, systems and networks. --- Networks of ideas. Beyond ecological networks of plants and animals, and beyond social networks of people, and beyond physical networks of computer hardware, and beyond symbol networks of computer software, there also exists networks of ideas and information. Ideas exist in sets. Ideas exist in logical relation to each other. For example, a syllogism is a set of three ideas in the logical relation of premise, premise and conclusion. Another example is information in a relational database, in which information exists in a grid-like network. Humans think using networks of ideas. Humans rarely ever think of just one idea alone. Ideas exist in sets. --- 10/30/2005

Philosophy, systems and networks. --- Networks. Types of networks. (1) Descriptions of networks through time, i.e., a diachronic view of networks. (2) Description of networks at any point in time, i.e., a synchronic view of networks. --- 5/12/2005

Philosophy, systems and networks. --- Networks. Types of networks. PART ONE. Networks in an individual person. ( ) Network of nerve cells in a living body, especially the brain. ( ) Psychological networks. Idea networks. Ideas stand in various logical relations to each other, and thus form an idea network. PART TWO. Social networks. Networks of people or other sentient beings. ( ) Networks of social power. Who influences whom. ( ) Economic or money networks. Trade networks. ( ) Sexual partner networks. ( ) Heredity and kinship networks. PART THREE. Technological networks. ( ) Transportation networks, such as planes, trains and automobiles. ( ) Networks of machines such as computer networks. (2) Physical power networks. For example, electrical power networks. PART FOUR. ( ) Information or communication networks. For example, a telephone network is a network of hardware components connected by wire; and there is also the network of people exchanging information by speaking on the telephone; yet there is also the network of informatioin being exchanged on the telephone. --- 5/12/2005

Philosophy, systems and networks. --- Networks. Ways to measure network traffic. (1) Number of messages arriving at any and all node destinations. (2) Number of messages being sent by any and all nodes. (3) Number of messages being relayed by any node. --- 5/12/2005

Philosophy, systems and networks. --- System theory. Are all systems networks? No, a network is one type of a system. What is an example of a system that is not a network? The planetary system around our sun is not a network because the planets are not nodes connected by links. Are all networks systems? Yes. --- 5/12/2005

Philosophy, systems and networks. --- System theory. In what way is the brain-mind a system, and more specifically, a network? The brain is a network of nerve cells, axons, dendrites, synapses, neurotransmitters. --- 5/12/2005

Philosophy, systems and networks. --- System theory. Is it productive and useful to describe works of art, like novels or movies, in terms of system theory? For example: The plot system of a novel. The character network of a novel. The sound system of a movie. The lighting system of a movie. Or the various systems in a work of music or visual art. --- 12/15/2005

Philosophy, systems and networks. --- System theory. Systems can be described using mathematical set theory concepts such as identity, union, intersection, etc. --- 5/12/2005

Philosophy, systems and networks. --- System theory. Types of systems. One can distinguish between sentient and non sentient systems. One can distinguish between natural systems and man made systems. (1) Non sentient, non-man-made systems. Natural systems. Physical systems. The solar system. Systems of the human body. (2) Non sentient, man made systems. Mechanical systems. Technological systems. For example, building systems like electrical system, plumbing system, hvac system, etc. (3) Sentient systems, psychological systems. Animals, including humans. The emotion system. The memory system. The thinking system. The psychological systems of the human mind are based on the physical systems of the human body. (4) Social systems. Non-human animal social systems. Human animal social systems. (5) Combinations of sentient and non sentient, natural and man made systems. For example, the ecosystem. --- 5/12/2005

Philosophy, systems and networks. --- System theory. What is a system? A system is a collection of interrelated parts. --- 6/15/2005

Philosophy, systems and networks. --- System theory. What is not a system? (1) A single item alone is not a system. (2) A group of unrelated, non-interacting items is not a system. --- 5/12/2005

Philosophy, systems and networks. --- Systems theory, chaos and complexity. Simple systems vs. complex systems. Random systems vs. non-random systems. (1) What is most random in nature? Weather? Gene Mutations? What causes randomness in nature? Can we model randomness in computer systems? How do we introduce randomness in computer systems? Low level or high level? Randomness in humans: dreams, insanity. (2) What is most complex in nature? DNA? The mind? What creates complexity? Many parts. Many variables. Continuous, not discrete. --- 11/5/1999

Philosophy, systems and networks. --- Systems theory: a technique for thinking about things. How things are related by cause and effect. --- 12/30/1992

Philosophy, systems and networks. --- Systems theory. How much stress can a system take? How far will it break down, till it becomes inoperative? --- 12/30/1992

Philosophy, systems and networks. --- Systems theory. Human species as a system. Human species needs to communicate, protect itself (from within and without), and support itself. --- 12/30/1992

Philosophy, systems and networks. --- Systems theory. The system on paper, the theoretical system, the ideal system, versus, the actual system. --- 6/15/2005

Philosophy, systems and networks. --- Systems theory. Three examples of closed systems. A terrarium. The biosphere project in New Mexico. The earth. --- 5/12/2005

Philosophy, systems and networks. --- Systems theory. What is a system? A system is a set of interrelated parts. --- 6/15/2005

Philosophy, systems and networks. --- Views that are not systems theory views. (1) All is one. Everything is the same. Monism. (2) Everything is separate and isolated. No thing has any relation to any other thing. (3) There is no mechanism, no cause and effect. Things just happen. --- 11/19/2005